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Showing posts with label pictures. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pictures. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Monday, October 25, 2010
A Very Un-settling Weekend
That song from Alice in Wonderland keeps running through my head, but instead of "A very merry un-birthday to you, yes you," I am singing, "A very un-settling weekend..." We had a long week trying to get out of VA with a few little bumps including needing to find a new renter and a free washer and dryer. Then we had to figure out how to get everything into our 8 suitcases and 7 carry-ons. The most difficult part was figuring out how to get all of that (plus a stroller and 2 car seats) from the rental van to the American Airlines counter. We're in a temporary house for the time-being (the main reason we don't feel settled) and hope to move to our permanent house in the next 10 days. We've been living out of suitcases for two weeks and we can do it another two (but I'm not sure how much longer than that).
And granted, we encountered a lot more roadblocks (literally) when we made the move to Bolivia in 08, but after a year of health issues for The Boy (and me) and all the renovations we made on the townhouse, last week seemed to be one of the most difficult. We were looking forward to our tropical paradise!
So far it is everything that was promised. Hot. Humid. Blue skies. Creepy-crawlies. The Kids' favorite thing to do in the morning after breakfast is to go out front and search for lizards. Then we go out back to see our never-quiet bird and more lizards, skinks, and wild animals. On the way out of the house today we saw a roach or small rabbit (I couldn't tell but Jack was sure we were looking at an exoskeleton) being devoured by an army of ants. Apparently the same situation is occurring in our downstairs bathroom (says our sponsor) but we have yet to check it out. With 4 other bathrooms we haven't felt the need.
The Kids are doing great. The Girl spent the past month asking everyone she was alone with if they were going to "the Minican Republic." I think she was worried that we were going to forget her. She also made the transition from the crib to a bed so it has proven difficult to contain her first in the hotel and now in this giant house. The Boy is anxious to go to school and keeps asking me to translate everything into Spanish. When I don't know a word he says, "I wish that you knew the whole language," which makes me feel pretty lazy and stupid. I was disappointed that he didn't seem at all impressed when someone from the embassy came to check our generator this morning. I couldn't get the door open but I could tell the man, "No tengo mis llaves. Un momento, por favor." But I imagine The Boy expects me to know where the keys are as well as every word in the Spanish language.
And granted, we encountered a lot more roadblocks (literally) when we made the move to Bolivia in 08, but after a year of health issues for The Boy (and me) and all the renovations we made on the townhouse, last week seemed to be one of the most difficult. We were looking forward to our tropical paradise!
So far it is everything that was promised. Hot. Humid. Blue skies. Creepy-crawlies. The Kids' favorite thing to do in the morning after breakfast is to go out front and search for lizards. Then we go out back to see our never-quiet bird and more lizards, skinks, and wild animals. On the way out of the house today we saw a roach or small rabbit (I couldn't tell but Jack was sure we were looking at an exoskeleton) being devoured by an army of ants. Apparently the same situation is occurring in our downstairs bathroom (says our sponsor) but we have yet to check it out. With 4 other bathrooms we haven't felt the need.
The Kids are doing great. The Girl spent the past month asking everyone she was alone with if they were going to "the Minican Republic." I think she was worried that we were going to forget her. She also made the transition from the crib to a bed so it has proven difficult to contain her first in the hotel and now in this giant house. The Boy is anxious to go to school and keeps asking me to translate everything into Spanish. When I don't know a word he says, "I wish that you knew the whole language," which makes me feel pretty lazy and stupid. I was disappointed that he didn't seem at all impressed when someone from the embassy came to check our generator this morning. I couldn't get the door open but I could tell the man, "No tengo mis llaves. Un momento, por favor." But I imagine The Boy expects me to know where the keys are as well as every word in the Spanish language.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
A Year to Remember
A year.... a year! This week we will have owned our house for a whole year. So much has happened that it is no wonder that I rarely update this blog and when I do it is just a few photos. We're in the midst of starting our next adventure. In less than 3 weeks we will be on another plane headed for another foreign country. We're excited that we won't need to cart a Pack 'n' Play through the airport because after a mild accident involving The Girl's neck and the crib she is now sleeping in a big girl bed. But we wouldn't mind carting the dog kennel so much. The Boy is constantly telling us that he needs a dog.
This will probably be my last post until we get settled (or at least packed-out and settled in a hotel room!). Here are some pictures of September and October followed by some of our trip to California in August (Hey, you're getting pictures. Who cares if they are in consecutive order?!).
This will probably be my last post until we get settled (or at least packed-out and settled in a hotel room!). Here are some pictures of September and October followed by some of our trip to California in August (Hey, you're getting pictures. Who cares if they are in consecutive order?!).
Saturday, July 3, 2010
June 2010
Time flies when you are doing nothing but changing diapers and repairing a house. Here's a taste of what we do to chill out. Click the cuties for more photos...
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Up in the Air
As I type, I am flying over Missouri. We're finally on our way back to the winter wonderland of DC after a week of canceled flights. I thought I'd post a few pictures of our latest adventures in CA with a few summer photos thrown in for fun. Check out how big all the kids are: Sophie (5), Jack (4), Max (blond 2), Nico (brown 2), Violet (girl 2), and Baby Owen!
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
RIP Sylvia
It has been a hard year at our house. The past 2 weeks have probably been the worst... if not of the year, but of our lives. Today we said our last goodbye to my MIL. Still doesn't seem real.
Sylvia and Reno, summer 2007
Sylvia and Reno, summer 2007
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Sunday, October 18, 2009
RIP Girlie
Lula passed away in her sleep last night. We're all devastated. She was the sweetest dog ever. She traveled around the world with us and shared in all of our greatest memories and adventures. She loved walks, vegetables, snow-shoeing, laying by the fire, laying under the high chairs, laying in the backyard, laying next to The Boy's bed, and being right under our feet. We were lucky to have her.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Thirtysomething 2.0
OMG, we're adults. Wait, we're adults so I have to type that out. Ohhh my God! Wait, real adults would say, "Oh my goodness graciousness, we have achieved adult status!" Today we closed on our first ever home. Wow. We've made it this far into our 30s with the most expensive possessions being a car (or two) and a couple carpets... and the kids (I guess they aren't expenses, but they sure incur a lot of them).
We're planning on moving in at the end of the month when a few construction projects are done. Check out the front of the townhouse and the view from the back yard. And then register for your Spring visit.
We're planning on moving in at the end of the month when a few construction projects are done. Check out the front of the townhouse and the view from the back yard. And then register for your Spring visit.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Aug/Sep Photos
We've been a little tied up recently so I haven't been able to download, upload, and post photos. Here's a few from August and a few more from September. My favorites are the ones of the kids waiting to see MH after our 10 week+ separation and then the photo of them all together. I also love when The Boy plays the air guitar and when The Girl picks out her own outfits.
Monday, September 14, 2009
My Hero
I am sitting on the bathroom floor with The Boy at my feet. He's watching Thomas the Tank Engine on a portable dvd player and he's set up to spend the next 3 or 4 hours here. Is this some new parenting technique? Have I completely lost it now that I am nanny-free? No, this is part of The Boy's new regimen.
I don't write this post in the hopes that someone will send me some magic key, some profound advice like, "Have you tried prunes?" Instead, I am sharing this for two reasons 1) I think it is important to document what a trooper The Boy is. He is absolutely amazing, brave, and strong. I am so proud of him and wish that he understood how proud I am. 2) If you know anyone whose kid starts "withholding" or is constipated, I encourage you to encourage them to see a GI... a good GI and start the kid on stool softeners or something. The worst that can happen is that the kid loads his diaper versus what happened to us.
We've been told too many times that this situation is "normal" and for that reason it went on too long and now The Boy has a condition called megacolon. There are many causes and thankfully, The Boy's is not related to any type of disease. It appears that he formed a blockage when he was a baby and for the past 2 years his intestines have been stretching as the blockage got bigger and bigger. Our doctor in CA told us that his rectum and intestines are 40% larger than normal and for that reason we use adult suppositories and laxatives. His intestines and sphincter are so stretched that they can't communicate and perform correctly which is why The Boy has such difficulty going to the bathroom. It takes him so long to go, as well, because his intestines are like a giant cavern and they just keep filling up with poop because the exit is blocked.
We recently visited UVA to meet with specialists in this area. It is a two-and-a-half hour drive but we are pleased with the aggressiveness of the doctor so the trip is worth it. The Boy is getting a daily enema for 1-2 weeks until he is completely cleaned out. He also gets three tablespoons of Miralax per day. At the end of this phase, we'll do weekly enemas or as needed.
The first few times he got the enema he screamed bloody murder and popped blood vessels in his face and neck and had bloody noses. He is doing a lot better now than with the suppositories, however, and only screams during the administration of the enema. The poor guy has such bad diaper rash (because after the enema he goes constantly for several hours) that we can't use wipes and we have to rinse him in the tub every time we change his diaper. Through it all, he is patient and chipper and the sweetest boy ever.
The Boy's chipper and sweet - even while he waits for his enema to work.
I don't write this post in the hopes that someone will send me some magic key, some profound advice like, "Have you tried prunes?" Instead, I am sharing this for two reasons 1) I think it is important to document what a trooper The Boy is. He is absolutely amazing, brave, and strong. I am so proud of him and wish that he understood how proud I am. 2) If you know anyone whose kid starts "withholding" or is constipated, I encourage you to encourage them to see a GI... a good GI and start the kid on stool softeners or something. The worst that can happen is that the kid loads his diaper versus what happened to us.
We've been told too many times that this situation is "normal" and for that reason it went on too long and now The Boy has a condition called megacolon. There are many causes and thankfully, The Boy's is not related to any type of disease. It appears that he formed a blockage when he was a baby and for the past 2 years his intestines have been stretching as the blockage got bigger and bigger. Our doctor in CA told us that his rectum and intestines are 40% larger than normal and for that reason we use adult suppositories and laxatives. His intestines and sphincter are so stretched that they can't communicate and perform correctly which is why The Boy has such difficulty going to the bathroom. It takes him so long to go, as well, because his intestines are like a giant cavern and they just keep filling up with poop because the exit is blocked.
We recently visited UVA to meet with specialists in this area. It is a two-and-a-half hour drive but we are pleased with the aggressiveness of the doctor so the trip is worth it. The Boy is getting a daily enema for 1-2 weeks until he is completely cleaned out. He also gets three tablespoons of Miralax per day. At the end of this phase, we'll do weekly enemas or as needed.
The first few times he got the enema he screamed bloody murder and popped blood vessels in his face and neck and had bloody noses. He is doing a lot better now than with the suppositories, however, and only screams during the administration of the enema. The poor guy has such bad diaper rash (because after the enema he goes constantly for several hours) that we can't use wipes and we have to rinse him in the tub every time we change his diaper. Through it all, he is patient and chipper and the sweetest boy ever.
The Boy's chipper and sweet - even while he waits for his enema to work.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Rest in Peace Baci
MH's grandmother, Baci, passed away today. She was one of the classiest, quick-tongued ladies I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. She'll be sorely missed - like a strawberry rhubarb pie without the strawberries.
With The Boy in April 2006
With MH and The Boy in April 2006
With The Girl in September 2008
With The Girl in September 2008
Monday, July 27, 2009
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Sea Level, Baby!
Yeah. That's what I am talking about. The Girl has gained 5+ pounds in the past 4 weeks. Here she is at 26 whopping pounds. I love it, although carrying her is no fun.
And here she is after she took off her diaper and rolled in her own poo. She had it all over the back of her head, all over her face, and under her finger and toe nails. It took two baths and over 30 minutes of soaking to get her all cleaned up and back to a precious little sweetie.
Not to be outdone in silliness and bodily functions... The Boy soaked his diaper and it exploded all over the high chair in the middle of breakfast. Okay, really that's my fault.
And here she is after she took off her diaper and rolled in her own poo. She had it all over the back of her head, all over her face, and under her finger and toe nails. It took two baths and over 30 minutes of soaking to get her all cleaned up and back to a precious little sweetie.
Not to be outdone in silliness and bodily functions... The Boy soaked his diaper and it exploded all over the high chair in the middle of breakfast. Okay, really that's my fault.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Beef... It's What's for Dinner? Along with Rice, Potatoes, Chicken, Fruit, Veggies...
The Girl makes eating an art form. No, that's not right. She takes it seriously, like it is her job. Her full time, high-paying, great benefits, corner office job. She's incredible. We all know that the altitude plays a huge role in our drastic weight loss and her lack of weight gain, but after less than 3 weeks in the States, she has gained a whopping 4 pounds. She's gone from 10% to... well, a lot more than 10%!
Today, she had half of a Baja Fresh quesadilla for lunch with rice and applesauce. I thought for sure she wouldn't be hungry for dinner until 6pm. At 5:30 she started crying and climbing into her seat. When I finally served dinner, she wolfed down two meatballs and two bowls of spaghetti plus corn and a little bread. She topped it off with 12 ounces of milk. At one point, she gave me and The Boy a startled look like, "When did you two sit down?" Seriously, she's incredible.
I have thought about cutting her off and making her get down from the table, but she usually cries or tries to steal food from the other kids. So far, she hasn't puked... okay, just once... but she had a ridiculous amount of food that time (in Tarija - but everyone eats a ridiculous amount of food in Tarija!).
Here's a picture of her and her mush. Click the picture for more of our adventures here in Cali in the past week.
Today, she had half of a Baja Fresh quesadilla for lunch with rice and applesauce. I thought for sure she wouldn't be hungry for dinner until 6pm. At 5:30 she started crying and climbing into her seat. When I finally served dinner, she wolfed down two meatballs and two bowls of spaghetti plus corn and a little bread. She topped it off with 12 ounces of milk. At one point, she gave me and The Boy a startled look like, "When did you two sit down?" Seriously, she's incredible.
I have thought about cutting her off and making her get down from the table, but she usually cries or tries to steal food from the other kids. So far, she hasn't puked... okay, just once... but she had a ridiculous amount of food that time (in Tarija - but everyone eats a ridiculous amount of food in Tarija!).
Here's a picture of her and her mush. Click the picture for more of our adventures here in Cali in the past week.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
June
This is what the kids look like when I don't have a nanny. I don't know their up from their down... Click the picture for more from June.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Vacation? Ha!
So, the other night, after the boy's 4th laxative (an Exlax chocolate square), I decided to take a shower for the first time in 36+ hours. Not a long shower, just a shower to clean off all the grime from taking care of 5 kids (my sister's and mine while she was in the hospital having her 4th!!). Even though I wasn't going it alone, I think I deserved a shower.
Apparently, the noise from across the apartment woke The Boy (who never sleeps very well with laxative in him, but really, can you blame him). In the middle of my shower, I heard a voice from right next to Violet's bedroom door (okay, it is really a closet, but she doesn't know any better) saying, "Mommy, I want a towel." That's The Boy's code for: I am about to flood this place with poo...
Usually, The Boy doesn't like to come in the bathroom when the shower is running because it is loud and the one time he opened the shower door back home he got doused (we also use that technique on annoying cats), but in he came and my "spa weekend" was kaput. After fooling around with the cabinets and the toilet, he got curious and kept peeking in the shower asking me about "why the water comes out up there" and "Why is the soap up on that shelf."
Not to put scary images in your head, but I was very careful to keep my bum pointed toward The Boy so as not to shock him with his first (conscious) glimpse of the (adult) female form. That lasted about 3.5 minutes when I didn't move fast enough and he peeked in from the other end of the shower. He asked me, "What's wrong with your stomach." At first I was horribly insulted thinking, "Uh, YOU and your sister. That's what happened to my stomach." Then I took a look at the boy's startled face and he was holding out his shirt in two peeks right under his shoulders. I explained that everyone's body is different and girls have breasts and mommies have bigger breasts.* Then, with a horrified look on his face, he pointed downward and said, "What's that?"
So that brings me to the point of this post. If another person tells me that my little trip to California here must be a nice vacation, I am going to flip out (like Tom Cruise in Jerry McGuire - or actually, like Tom Cruise in real life). Did they not hear the part about the laxatives? The not showering? The lack of privacy? I guess I have to admit that my real life is kind of like a vacation what with not having to wash dishes (sometimes I do), or doing laundry (sometimes I do), or making my bed (I never do this, but I do pick up the dog poo outside to compensate), so maybe I deserve a glimpse at what other people have to go through (except the laxative thing, no one should have to go through this). I guess what I am saying is that I don't need a vacation, I need to go home so I can relax.
post-bathtime (for the kids)
Apparently, the noise from across the apartment woke The Boy (who never sleeps very well with laxative in him, but really, can you blame him). In the middle of my shower, I heard a voice from right next to Violet's bedroom door (okay, it is really a closet, but she doesn't know any better) saying, "Mommy, I want a towel." That's The Boy's code for: I am about to flood this place with poo...
Usually, The Boy doesn't like to come in the bathroom when the shower is running because it is loud and the one time he opened the shower door back home he got doused (we also use that technique on annoying cats), but in he came and my "spa weekend" was kaput. After fooling around with the cabinets and the toilet, he got curious and kept peeking in the shower asking me about "why the water comes out up there" and "Why is the soap up on that shelf."
Not to put scary images in your head, but I was very careful to keep my bum pointed toward The Boy so as not to shock him with his first (conscious) glimpse of the (adult) female form. That lasted about 3.5 minutes when I didn't move fast enough and he peeked in from the other end of the shower. He asked me, "What's wrong with your stomach." At first I was horribly insulted thinking, "Uh, YOU and your sister. That's what happened to my stomach." Then I took a look at the boy's startled face and he was holding out his shirt in two peeks right under his shoulders. I explained that everyone's body is different and girls have breasts and mommies have bigger breasts.* Then, with a horrified look on his face, he pointed downward and said, "What's that?"
So that brings me to the point of this post. If another person tells me that my little trip to California here must be a nice vacation, I am going to flip out (like Tom Cruise in Jerry McGuire - or actually, like Tom Cruise in real life). Did they not hear the part about the laxatives? The not showering? The lack of privacy? I guess I have to admit that my real life is kind of like a vacation what with not having to wash dishes (sometimes I do), or doing laundry (sometimes I do), or making my bed (I never do this, but I do pick up the dog poo outside to compensate), so maybe I deserve a glimpse at what other people have to go through (except the laxative thing, no one should have to go through this). I guess what I am saying is that I don't need a vacation, I need to go home so I can relax.
post-bathtime (for the kids)
Thursday, July 2, 2009
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